Heritage Rehabilitation-Living sits at 457 Old Lewiston Road in Winthrop, Maine, and folks will find both short-term rehab and long-term care there, with 28 beds in the nursing unit and 24 in the residential unit for a total of 52 beds, and one thing everybody notices is how many different services they try to provide, like assisted living, independent living, memory care, home care, respite care, adult day care, care homes, rehabilitation, and full nursing care for people with more complex needs who might need a hospital-like setting at times. The community is known as Heritage Rehab & Living Center and is run by North Country Associates, so the ownership isn't local, and it's a for-profit setup, which means it's run as a business rather than a community foundation. In the past, some issues showed up, including a "special focus facility" tag from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services after reports like wandering incidents, so families may want to research the most current conditions before making decisions. The center is closing soon, with May 18 listed as the final day, and staff help both residents and employees with finding new placements.
Visitors can schedule a tour, which is one good way to get a feel for the place, and during visits, you might meet staff and current residents and see things like the communal dining space where people gather for restaurant-style meals with menus, or the Residents Lounge where people socialize or take part in the busy activity program, which offers in-house events and scheduled trips. For people who like outdoor recreation, there are landscaped outdoor areas, and for those with hobbies or who like to read, there's a library and fitness center to keep busy. Inside, residents can use free wireless internet and computers. Transportation services help people get out to appointments or shopping.
When it comes to care, Heritage Rehabilitation-Living offers round-the-clock staffing and works with personalized care plans that include medication management, meal prep and housekeeping, and personal assistance with daily activities like bathing or dressing. Skilled therapists provide occupational, physical, and speech therapy, including both inpatient and outpatient therapy programs in their state-of-the-art Therapy Room, which some residents use for recovery after surgery or injury, and others use for ongoing strength and mobility issues. There's a focus on helping people keep as much independence as possible, whether someone needs nursing care, short stay rehab, or a long-term residential solution.
There's an average of about 22 residents per day these days, so it isn't a crowded place, and it's recognized in Maine for trying to offer age-friendly care. Adult day services and respite care are available for families who need help just part-time. Staff are present 24 hours a day for support. Even though some call it a continuing care community, officially it isn't a CCRCC, but it does offer several types of help as people's needs change. Heritage Rehabilitation-Living covers many options for people looking for something between assisted living and skilled nursing, and its small size means most people get to know each other.